Whilst working with Special Effect, I learnt a little more about mounting solutions for switch users. I've created a "Mounting Solutions" area to the Accessible Gaming Shop which details the excellent Maxess mounts above, Meru's Flexzi and a number of others too.

Ach mein gott! I've just seen the leaked control layout for the PS3 version of GTA IV - which makes this Alienmelon layout look simple! If only Rockstar would consider adding an optional context button with a simple drop down menu - you could cut the number of controls down by around 80%. It's just too many buttons for too many gamers - and it's not fair! GTA's are fun IF you can play them (and you're old enough).

One Switch users (with a helper to take over the pointer) and head-tracker users can have fun with the "Lamonic Bibber Sound Board". Oh - and if you're looking for a switch accessible page turner - take a look here: FLIP Page Turner.

Crocodile Dentist is a very simple but fun on-line game, that can be made accessible to head-tracker users and one-switch gamers (with a little help).

How to play? Take it in turns to select and press down on one of the Croc's teeth - if you are unlucky enough to press down on the sensitive tooth, he'll snap down on your pointer and you loose. You could play this with a large number of people in a pass-the-parcel style, sharing controls as needed. I intend to contact Hasbro/MB Games to see if they might consider making these available off-line too. Worth a try...

Just given the blog a little spruce up so that it is in more keeping with OneSwitch.org.uk colours wise. I'm hoping to get a redesign of the banner up the top as it's a bit make-do at present. Got something and someone in mind - but I'll have to keep my fingers crossed.

Final thing - you may have noticed many of the OneSwitch shop items are listed as "Out of Stock" - this isn't necessarily so - but I'm trying to catch up on some boring bits as well as some old projects that I've left for far too long. OneSwitch adapted toys will surface again...

There is quite a shortage of one-handed controllers available today for non-Wii games consoles. You may be one of many people who tried and failed to get hold of the elusive "DragonPlus RPG DuoCon2" controller. OneSwitch and Broadened Horizons can supply people with some one handed controllers, but these still don't suit all.

Help may be at hand. Geoff Harbach of LEPMIS is working on a new design of one-handed controller that will come in left and right handed style (see prototype photo above).

To help him design the best controller he cans - he needs to hear from the people that count. Those that would potentially use one...

Do you think the idea of the two joysticks, top and bottom is a good idea? You would control one with your thumb, and one on your leg / gripping surface (see the black and white image above).

Would you want "ALL" of the buttons of a conventional JoyPad controller?

If it is not possible to fit all the buttons into the hand-held controller - what switches or functions do you feel would be the most important to have easy access to?

Quasimoto have just finished their move from California to Ohio, and are getting up to speed again with orders. Of particular interest is their offer now to extend the analogue sticks on their rock-solid Quasicon Arcade Stick controllers. If you didn't know already, these are the only commercially available arcade sticks with dual analogue-sticks. I've used one and can vouch for their very high quality.

Light ripple of applause for Nintendo: Mario Kart Wii allows gamers to use alternative controllers - including "Classic Controllers". This is fantastic news for gamers unable to use the traditional Wii Remote.

Using GameCube or Playstation controllers (via a Playstation 2 adapter) a huge range of alternative controllers can be used to play this game - including switches. At last! - but, please Nintendo - don't make this the exception! We need more games with this facility or you are cutting a lot of people out of the fun...

IGDA Game Accessibility Special Interest Group member Robert Florio has just released his first full length film, "A New Way To Live". This DVD, directed and produced by the man using head-controls over a two year period, documents his life and passions. These includes how he dealt with becoming paralysed at the age of 14, his friends, family and a sizable chunk on accessible gaming and his superb art work.

Proceeds will support Robert to keep supporting the push for greater accessibility in gaming. You can purchase his DVD on-line at RobertFlorio.com and watch a YouTube trailer here. Great work, Robert!

"I found this out by reading the manual for [Atari's] SF Rush 2049 one slow day at the arcade I managed. There is a section there where it states that the game has an option where players that don’t have the use of their feet can play where the game will do the gas for you. I checked it out and it’s an option that can be set by the operator - the only problem is that it takes a couple of seconds of not stepping on the gas for it to work (I tried it out of curiousity) but either way it lets someone enjoy the game [who might not be able to otherwise]."

"It's that time of the year again! Groups of game design students of the Utrecht School of the Arts have developed 13 small audio game prototypes! Try them out and let the developers know what you think in the forum! You can find all the experimental audio games, as well as many others from the previous years, in the Experimental Audio Games Section. Have fun!"

This is my favourite time of year for Audio Games. "Typing of the Deaf" sounds especially fun - although shouldn't it be "Typing of the Blind and Partially Sighted"? Not so catchy I guess!

"I hate amusement arcades. When I was a little wheelie on holiday with my family in Wales, this was one of our safe havens on rainy days. Dad would ration out the two pences and send me and my brother off into a world of flashing lights, electronic beeps and underage gambling.

We both had very different experiences. My brother would have the best time, returning with handfuls of silver coins and tales of winning against all odds. I would have the worst time, returning with the same number of copper coins as I began with and tales of being the biggest loser.

I couldn't reach to put the coins in the slot machines, the strength of my two arms was no match for the one armed bandit and even if I had won, I couldn't have retrieved my winnings. I tried other 'amusements' but I was no pinball wizard, didn't score with table football and never got to grips with the claw.

Years later, amusement arcades became video arcades and I hoped that the new virtual reality would be virtually accessible. I was still too young to learn to drive so I couldn't wait to try the car racing simulator. You paid your money to sit in a car seat, push on the pedals, and steer your way to victory. I transferred into the seat. The screen barked out instructions to hurry and a countdown began. I tried to drive but I couldn't; being a short arse, my feet didn't reach to put the pedal to the metal and with my crippy arms, grabbing the steering wheel was just a distant dream. There were no virtual car adaptions, no steering knobs and no hand controls. I was sitting in an inaccessability simulator."

Our friends at Retro Remakes have posted a great Accessibility update. Amongst other things it details the progress of the very exciting "4Noah" project - making previously inaccessible games accessible to one-switch gamers. It also points to a few new one-switch games and hints at something coming in the Autumn. Can't wait!

OCZ Technology are due to release thieir £100 ($200) "NIA" Brain Controller on the 21st of April this year. This device will enable users to map certain thought and muscle movements to individual key presses on a keyboard. With about an hours training - games are claimed to start to become accessible completely hands-free.

Having used something like this before - it's likely this controller will best suit slower paced games - but none the less - this looks exciting.

An alternative mind controller is the Emotiv EPOC due in late 2008. Of historical note - Atari were working on something like this in 1984 with their "Mind Link", but never released it.Via: Special Effect

If you don't have a ready opponent - it seems that it is also possible to duel on-line in an updated version of the game. Set up your computer for on-line play then pick a time for your duel across the internet against a friend/enemy!